A Thai cargo vessel, Mayuree Naree, bound for Kandla port in India, was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, leaving three crew members missing. The attack caused explosions and a fire in the engine room, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Omani naval forces rescued 20 crew members and brought them ashore for medical treatment.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran claimed responsibility, stating the strike was part of ongoing military operations and warning vessels to seek permission before entering the waterway. The incident reflects escalating tensions in the Middle East, where regional conflicts have increasingly threatened commercial shipping.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack, calling it “unacceptable” and stressing the safety of civilians and freedom of navigation in international waters. Authorities highlighted the risks posed to innocent lives and the disruption of global trade through one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint, carrying a large share of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Attacks on merchant vessels have raised alarms internationally, prompting calls for stronger maritime security to protect neutral commercial traffic.
